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Forever a Georgian, Francoeur in New York state of mind

Former Braves right fielder off to solid start with Mets

Carl Elmore

Jeff Francoeur meets fans Tuesday night before the Coastal Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet. Colby May, a South Effingham High School graduate now playing baseball at the University of Georgia, is at right.(Carl Elmore/Savannah Morning News)

Carl Elmore

Jeff Francoeur, at left, jokes with Colby May Tuesday night before the Coastal Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet. May, a South Effingham High School graduate, plays baseball at the University of Georgia. (Carl Elmore/Savannah Morning News)

For Braves fans still getting used to seeing Georgia native Jeff Francoeur in anything but an Atlanta uniform, consider his feelings the first time he put on New York Mets colors last July.

"It was definitely weird," Francoeur said Tuesday in Savannah. "You grow up a Braves fan, the one team you're supposed to hate is the Mets."

The Braves had his heart while he grew up in Lilburn, when they picked him out of Parkview High School in the first round of the 2002 draft, and through the minors and parts of five major-league seasons until he was traded July 10 to New York.

Far from heartbroken, Francoeur has loved his time as Met, with whom he re-signed last week for a reported $5 million to spend his first full season in New York. He hit .311 with 41 RBIs and 10 homers in 75 games.

"I think I needed a change, some new voices to help me out," said Francoeur, lending his voice Tuesday night to the Coastal Fellowship of Christian Athletes' "Winter Rally" and fundraising banquet at Armstrong Atlantic State University's Armstrong Center.

"It's weird I went to New York and did better," continued Francoeur, 26 this month. "You'd think there'd be more pressure up there. Maybe I'm one of the only guys who went to New York and felt less pressure than I did in Atlanta. I really enjoyed it."

A new chapter was added to what appeared from the outside to be a storybook tale of the local boy making good with his hometown team. All wasn't picture perfect, though he started strong with a homer in his major league debut on July 7, 2005 and continued with solid numbers at the plate and a strong arm in right field - earning a National League Gold Glove in 2007.

"The first three years were great," he said. "Everything was a lot of fun. Then in '08, I struggled some. Basically for me, the whole situation of how I got sent down, how it went down, I think that was the start of the end for me in Atlanta."

As his batting average descended and his strikeout numbers went up during the 2008 campaign, Francoeur grew frustrated with himself and dissected videotape of his at-bats, over and over until exhaustion. Fans weren't happy, either, and offered unsolicited hitting tips or, worse, booed.

Fresh start

Francoeur's pride was hurt by his demotion to Double A for three games in July 2008. Perhaps the pressure of expectations had gotten to him, but he vowed to start fresh with the Braves in 2009. He was in for a letdown.

"Last offseason, I came into spring with a great attitude," he recalled. "I just never felt completely comfortable again. When I walked into the New York clubhouse, it seemed like a breath of fresh air. I fell back to my old self of just hitting and running the bases and throwing people out. It got back to being fun again for me, which is the most important thing."

Getting traded might be part of the business of baseball, but it still stung. Pitcher Tom Glavine, a former Braves great who spent some time with the Mets, called Francoeur immediately after the trade to offer support and tell him that he will love New York and be loved back if he plays hard.

"We live in a world, and sports especially, of what have you done for me lately," Francoeur said. "They love me up in New York because I had three great months. But I've got to keep proving myself every day."

"Frenchy" is embracing the opportunity, though the Georgia resident promises to always love his roots as he and his wife, Catie, adjust to in-season life in the Big Apple. He said his Christian faith has helped him stay steady through times good and bad.

"Persevere is one of my favorite words," Francoeur later told an audience of about 120 children and adults at the Winter Rally. "That's what my wife and I did. We persevered though tough times."

Another speaker was Colby May, the South Effingham High graduate now a sophomore third baseman for the Georgia Bulldogs. May said he planned to talk to Francoeur about his road to the big leagues.

"At the professional level, you're going to get sent to wherever they need you to," May, a fellow Georgian, said of Francoeur's trade to New York. "I know the Lord has him in that spot for a reason. ... He says he really enjoys it. That's awesome."

ON THE WEB See more images from the Coastal Fellowship of Chrisitan Athletes' Winter Rally and Home Team Banquet. Go to savannahnow.com/sports.